The Fantasy

It's probably not a really good Christmas reading but if you're in the mood for some mild Christian horror, come and visit Perdition.

Honestly it's not that bad. We in writer world get behind our computers once a day and try to write at least 500 words. This fantasy tale began as just another day behind my laptop. It turned into three short chapters that might fit into a longer novel somewhere, someday. One can only fantasise.

Click on this link, The Whisperers: feedback is totally welcome. How can I improve this story? Edit me. Critique me. Be brutal. The target audience is sort of the Tween generation--14 and up. I've been thinking of just going the Lulu way with this. I've got some great illustrations. What say ye?



writing
Christian fantasy fiction
Christian horror

Coupons For The Holidays

For you, my friends. If you must shop till you drop to get everything on that Christmas list go to the Chief of Coupons to make sure you get the best deals. I've done the hunting for you but you'll have to get these great coupon codes yourselves. Get these codes before you enter the battlefield of holiday shoppers.

Enjoy browsing through the Family Christian Stores so you don't forget the Reason for the Season. You can get $15 off on orders over $75 and there's even an additonal 20 percent off coupon. Give it a whirl.

And who doesn't slip into anything Old Navy? It's the ultimate family Christmas store. Best of all they stick to their $5 shipping fee no matter how much you buy.

Have fun, save a lot, and Merry Christmas!!

Is Your Christmas White?

It's Monday night and my Hawks (Seattle Seahawks) are playing. That field is looking pretty nasty. And here I thought snow is beautiful. Just kidding, I know it's beautiful unless, of course, you've got a bunch of guys trampling all over it. Cousin Cyndi from Washington emailed to tell us her garden looks pretty in white.

Last Sunday, we drove up the mountain to Idylwild where the flakes are ready to fall there as well. We'll head up there again on Christmas day and build ourselves a snowman in Southern California.

For the Love of Money

And what would you do if you earned a million dollars next year? It's on my Christmas list. However, not exactly a realistic goal (I'm aware of this), but PayPerPost (cha-ching) has paid me again and it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. It's the fourth installment and there's still $50 or so in the pot of honey with my name on it. Not to mention that the jobs keep coming. How sweet is that?

So this year there will be pretty packages with bows and such under the homy tree. And even though the kids have never complained, a few presents from mom will be an extra blessing. Furthermore, with the money from PayPerPost we will donate one or two presents to charity . . . I've always wanted to give to "Toys For Tots." Merry Christmas from our family to yours and from PayPerPost!

My Christmas Story

So in the sixth month (probably of the Jewish Calendar) God sent this awesome Angel. Gabriel is, undoubtedly, one of those really high ranking Angels as this was no ordinary message. He came to young Mary of Nazareth and, no doubt, scared the living daylights out of her. Thus the words, "Don't be afraid girl, God totally favors you."

She was a little surprised (hello, never been with a man) to hear things like, "You're gonna have a baby and this boy will be more or less, GREAT!" This (the fact that she was a virgin) most likely would be one of the reasons she was chosen. The power of the Most High will overshadow her and place the child in her womb Himself.

This is Mary's child: The Son of the Most High, King on a throne, Ruler over the house of Jacob (Israel, I believe), and to top it all off he has a kingdom that will never end--Jesus.

At this point, it was wise for Mary to believe Gabriel and move on. She told her fiancee, the carpenter, who had no choice to accept what she had to say after God came to him in a dream. "She don't lie, Joseph, take care of her."

King Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His birth was kind of lost to a lot of people except for a few shepherds who saw and heard a choir of Angels sing the first Christmas Caroll, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." How awesome is that?

And, oh yeah, a few men from a long ways away who followed this blinding light in the sky dropped by and gave gifts that were probably worth your weight in gold. These may have paid for Joseph's family's cost of living while hiding in Egypt for a while.

The shepherds, by the way, told everyone what they saw and heard and proceeded to spread the word--The Saviour is Born.

Remember, there would be no Happy Holidays if it weren't for Jesus Christ. So Merry Christmas and may you bring in the new year with Him in your hearts.


Christmas
Jesus
Bible

What's On Your Christmas List?

So, what is on your Christmas list? Well, what I really mean to ask is; what's on the Christmas list your mom, dad, husband and kids gave you, right? I'm going to throw out a few ideas right up till December 24th. This is for the scientists, young and not so young, in the family. Let me direct you to the world of micro universe.

"Kids, and student microscopes, from high school to medical school, from enthusiastic hobbyist to university scientist we have a microscope for U!" That is their claim and apparently it is true. I checked it out. These microscopes sound like a mighty fine idea for all of us who homeschool, I might add.

Of course, for your shopping experience, and enjoyment, I'll find you the greatest, humugous deals on planet Earth. Up to 70% off at Optics Planet and free UPS shipping for orders over $29.95. I don't know the percentage of people who shop online, but sounds like a good plan to avoid the holiday stampedes.

So enter the crazy world of science, take a peek at their gift packages, and make your scientists happy. Go take a lot at their unique gifts with an extended No-Hassle-Holiday-Return policy. Now that's a nice package.

Festive Cranberry Bread

Here's another recipe for you to try. Like you haven't got enough to do already . . . bake this for Thanksgiving. It's a recipe from my beloved friend, Arleta Richardson, whom I only knew for just a little while before she went home to Jesus. In that little while she managed to impact my life for the better and even edited a few chapters in my novel. We shall see you again, my friend.

Here's her Festive Cranberry Bread from
The Grandma's Attic Cookbook

2 C. Flour
Juice and grated rind of 1 orange
1 C. sugar
2 Tbsp. shortening and enough boiling water to tatal 3/4 C.
1 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp. salt
1 C. chopped walnuts
1 egg, beaten
1 C. raw cranberries, halved

Preparation: Sift the dry ingredients together. Blend in the egg and liquid; stir only until the flour mixture is dampened. Add nuts and cranberries. Pour into a bread pan (8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3inches) or two miniature bread pans, pushing batter into corners of pan and leaving the center slightly hollow. Allow batter to stand in pan for 20 minutes before baking at 350 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes.

Christianity is bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.

Arleta Richardson

Thanksgiving cooking Arleta Richardson Grandma's Attic Cookbook

Thanksgiving: The Way It Is.

Ah, Thanksgiving. Great food, good company, right? I do love this season, but not all the memories were filed under "lets do that again." One such no, no was when my son (about 8 years old, I think) got lost while out on a short hike with the family. All ended well, and we were proud of him for not panicking and finding his way back on his own by looking for familiar landmarks. What scared him more was the verbal beating he took afterwards. It wasn't from me or his dad. We stopped it because we believed it wasn't the time or place nor was the discipline done by the right person. Somehow the rest of the night was salvaged by some very cool family members.

The B. clan was the awesome family we hung around with come November 23rd or there abouts. Wonderful warm home, always a welcome mat. Mr. B. was close to the best cook I've ever known and Mrs. B. made an awesome Crunchy Caramel Apple Pie. To die for.

But I never felt real (totally my fault, I know). This I don't really understand because I loved the conversations we had. That was real. What's not real about the Lakers? Never mind, don't answer that. Nonetheless we had fellowship that would make anyone jealous. Talking God is always a plus. Catching up with family stories, another plus. Then what the heck was wrong with me? I just didn't feel real. Mmm, it's still a mystery to me.

Did you ever have a fight at Thanksgiving about where and when to celebrate Christmas? Ah, maybe that's what it was. We always came to some kind of compromise, but it still got me on edge and sometimes not really looking forward to Christmas till I remembered the reason for the season. Yes, Happy Birthday Jesus.

Well, anyhow, last year around Thanksgiving we were almost homeless. Our house was packed (we were moving) and our new house wasn't built yet. My son was visiting his Dad (and the new family), my parents were invited to their friends for dinner and my daughter was working.When she got home around midnight, she and I cooked a really small and still-frozen turkey that we served up with a can of beans. Did I mention she was so sick that a month later she ended up in a hospital with a surgeon cutting open her throat to drain out the sack of poison that had grown on her tonsils? Yep, that was fun. Sorry.

So, this year (all healthy, happy and in a brand new home), we have decided to celebrate Thanksgiving with just the three of us. We are going to spoil ourselves. Mom and Dad are invited, of course, but they might wind up with friends. I think they love us just a smidgen more and will most likely sit at our table come Thursday. We're just going to be real with one another and eat our fave foods. College girl is driving home right now and we've even put a mint on her pillow. I can smell my beer-butter-chicken-bouillion-green-onion turkey now. Good times. All this to say, may your Thanksgiving be truly a thankful day to be with family.


Thanksgiving family Christmas Pieces of Me

Encouraging Words from God and . . .Jerry B. Jenkins

Here's the encouraging words in Jeremiah from the Lord Himself to the Jerusalem exiles in Babylon: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to give you hope and a future." A few thousands years later it still holds true for you and me. Words to live by.


Today I needed some encouraging words about my writing. Even though I received one acceptance letter, I also found a rejection. Then again, rejection is part of the writer's life as are the harsh words of family and friends who are just a tad bit ignorant. We persevere.



A writer continually works out his craft; writing daily, reading, accepts the useful critques/edits of her work and ignores the useless rederick of those who might be jealous of goodness knows what. I know, I don't usually get that harsh. A little snippyness is healthy sometimes.

However, help comes from unexpected places. My son walked in with the Saturday morning mail and gave me a letter from Jerry B. Jenkins. I realize, of course, it's only a form letter but it's quite a really cool and personalized form letter. Here's some of it . . .

Dear XXXXX

Warm greetings to you! It's common to start to feel bogged down at this point in the two-year course, so my reason for contacting you today is to offer you some encouragement. I can certainly identify with the solitude that a writer feels. It can feel like a lonely profession at times. Don't ever forget that you are a part of a larger community of writers in the Christian Writers Guild who are working to sharpen their skills just like you are. You are not alone. Keep going. You can do it.


Jerry B. Jenkins


Okay, I'm good now. I guess I should start reading his novels.
writing
family
Encouraging Letter
Christian Writers Guild

Healthy Blogging

Here's a few words of wisdom concerning health care for our children and where to get if for free at Roger Constandse's personal development blog. A great list of freelance writers submit well-written articles like Are You Spiritualy Successfull. After all, the article states; without faith we probably would not experience true satisfaction material success can bring, or anything else for that matter. I concur. There's a wide range of articles, sharing one common subject--our overall well-being. Read about how to find motivation and slide on over there. Happy reading.

How To Catch A Man

First, one must be good to one's x-mother-in-law (too late, I blew that one) and then follow her to her homeland (doesn't matter if it's in a foreign country).

Then one must go into the field and glean whatever is left after the crops have been harvested. Work very hard (this is important). The kind, handsome (not to mention, rich) and smooth-talking owner of the field will notice you and say things like: "Don't go anywhere else. Stay here with me. I have given serious instructions that no man is to touch you."

If he invites you to a picnic you are on the fast track into his heart. Make sure you shower put on clean clothes and when he goes to sleep (after some dinner and wine) go lie down near his feet. He must be sleeping in the field because if he is in his home, that would be inappropriate.

One must then uncover his feet and don't say a word. This will show that you are available and if he likes, he may marry you and say things like, "You are so beautiful, whatever you want I will get it for you." If he covers you with his blanket, well, you are his. No hanky panky though. That will come after the seven day feast.

There's more to the story, I know, go read it for yourselves in the Book of Ruth. She tells it better. From what I gather it's an amazing tale of redemption.

I Love My Job

Well it's a writer's nightmare to think one might never actually get published. But along that lonely journey, where everyone around you says "get a real job," come the moments which reaffirms that, indeed, you are a professional writer.

Today, I got to open my email and found a couple of messages from PayPerPost saying that...yep, I've been paid.

I can make money blogging! These last couple of months I got down to business and learned how to write ads for a living. PayPerPost gave me a boost and hooked me up with some major companies. Writing ads or copy writing is not selling out. It's sharpened my writing and, if I might add, helps my bank account grow. Always a plus. Now I can actually support my other writing habits.

Adding to that writing habit, PayPerPost has got me into making short films. Life is fun. I'm taking free classess online at Hollywood Connect and hopefully soon they'll be bringing in a few hundred here and there. One can only hope.

Too Much Coffee On A Mouse Pad

She bought a $30 mouse and asked for a mouse pad!

Oh, The Season

I'm sorry for the Thanksgiving overkill, but I just love this season. And it's cold enough to use our fireplace. I only get this girly around November and December, well, except for all those football games and the last NASCAR race. Besides Thanksgiving and Christmas make my blog look soooo pretty. No comments please.

So, is there any kind of Thanksgiving music? You know like Christmas has its carols.

Well, here's that pumpkin shell prep recipe to put your pumpkin cream soup in.

You'll need:

1 large pumpkin with thick, hard skin
Nonstick oil cooking spry
salt

Wash the pumpkin with warm water and pat dry. Using a sharp knife, insert the tip and cut away a round section on top to form a lid. Scoop out the seeds and stringy mass with a large spoon. Spray the pumpkin inside and out with the cooking spray. Lightly sprinkle the inside with salt. Also spray a heavy baking sheet with the cooking spray. Place the pumpkin on baking sheet, set the lid aside the pumpkin, cut side down. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour until the inside begins to soften. The shell will turn a deep orange color and will be shiny. Don't overbake. Remove from oven and carefully remove any remaining stringy mass.

Enjoy!

A Thanksgiving Feast

Are they all gathering at your dinner table this year? Need some help? Yeah, me too. Okay, so read this if you want to have a traditional Thanksgiving table with all the trimmings and hoopla to make your mother proud.

It is very important when creating your November masterpiece that you keep your sanity. Don't you think? Yeah, me too. So here's a Turkey timeline for you and make your mother proud.

Need more easy recipes to upload/download, whichever, go visit the Big Oven and get your BigOven Recipe Software - 160,000 Recipes

I mean, really, it's a turkey life-saving adventure over there. One could even learn how to cater to everyone's diet lifestyle.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Most Popular Articles on Triond

Yes, I know, I am not setting the world on fire just yet. Nonetheless, my friends, this nobody is getting quite a few hits on her following articles at Triond. Go figure.

• An Exercise In WritingUsing My Five Senses: Sight

• An Exercise In Writing Using My Five Senses: Smell

• Inner Me

And this Drawing seems to be a nice attraction.

• The Lion And The Lamb

The Health Issue

Relocation! From the ocean to the desert has not been kind to my health. The night-time air feels good out here but breathing gets hard. My sleep is interrupted, sometimes every two hours, and leg cramps are issues I don't enjoy much. I need a new plan, I need some serious Fitness Goals.

Actually, I really do know what to do besides changing that diet of mine. Yesterday, while reading outside on our cozy patio, I noticed the amazing mountains that seemed only a few feet from our house. The scenery became one with our back yard. Where, nestled among the bouganvillia, some potted plants, flowers and our grapevine was my old friend, the treadmill. Many good memories on my humble Weslo. Plus it folds up and fits snuggly among the plants. Teenage son, however, says I need a Proform Treadmill which comes with music and work-out disks.

All I know at this stage is that I need to make a committment to exercise. Walking and jogging through the neighbourhood just isn't my thing. I love my privacy. Gyms don't help with my stress relief. So treadmill it is.

Photographs From Home

Cousin, Monique, called from Washington. This brought much excitement. These are for you. Hope to see you soon, Monique and family.

Holiday Coupons

Black Friday is coming! It's what we call that crazy-shopping frenzy after Thanksgiving, right? Early Christmas shopping sounds good. If you're like me you're going to need some help. Here's an awesome site to get the coupon codes at places like Dell with over $200 off select Inspiron laptops. My college girl and I live and breathe over there. My kids named Hot Topic as their fave Christmas shopping arena. I know, they need help. Well enjoy, there are hundreds of coupons from other stores. Happy shopping.

Places I've Lived & Books I've Read This Year

I know the two don't go together but it's just what popped out of my head so I'm stickin' with it. It's come to my attention that writing my life's journal over there on Triond has forced me to think of all the places I've lived and has also made me realize that life has been quite an adventure. . . wouldn't you agree?

The Places I've lived:

Papua New Guinea (Hollandia)
The Netherlands (Beverwijk and some other town I don't remember)
Australia (Nashville, Ascot, Albion, Brighton, Strathpine)
USA (Washington, California)

Whew, I'm homesick.

Books I've Read This Year:

It's been my goal to read at least 10 books this year. I'm not gonna make it!!

1. The Handmaid's Tale written by Margaret Atwood
(Thumbs down)
Okay, here's the deal. I read all the positive reviews on Amazon and I'm a little perplexed. The characters were not real to me and most of them sounded dumb (not intelligent) sex craved and even the ones we were supposed to like never evolved. They all stayed dumb and . . . you know. There really wasn't any plot and nothing in the book actually led to a satisfying conclusion. Wait, there was no conclusion. And trust me if women in America actually became baby producing machines for the higher ups . . . oh never mind.

2. Bad Girls of the Bible written by Liz Curtis Higgs
(Thumbs Up)
Liz is incredibly funny. She's also a seasoned writer and has wisdom to impart. This book made me laugh, cry and learn to accept myself for who I am. Forgiven, beautiful and good to the bone in spite of all the bad.

3. Arms of Deliverance written by Tricia Goyer
(Thumbs Up)
Wonderful WWII story with a beautiful romance weaved in. I'm determined to meet Tricia one day.

4. Oxygen written by John B. Olson and Randall Ingermanson
(Thumbs Up) Awesome, down-to-earth characters who are loveable and annoying. I can't believe I read a Sci-Fi book written by two weird (in a good way) guys.
I took a mentoring class from Randy--I'm not worthy. Get this, John has a Ph.D. in biochemistry and Randy earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at UC Berkely and did postdoctoral research in superstring theory at Ohio State. Can anyone tell me what the heck that is. Great book though.

I met them both at Mount Hermon. It was the year John lost his voice (I think he got it back) but he wrote this in my book: "To Debby, One of the newest, most shiny Mount Hermon gems. Hope this is a breath of fresh air." Awwwww.

Randy wrote: "To Debby, Take a deep breath! It could be your last . . ." Mmmmm.

Settling

We've relocated so many times in my lifetime, and it seems, for now, California is our home. Mom and Dad have talked once or twice about moving to Arizona where other family members are settling. They've looked up some Scottsdale Realtors. Time will tell. It's certainly more affordable.

Bunches of Salads For Your Pre-Holiday Healthy Eating Plans

Salads Extraordinaire 1

Salads Extraordinaire 2

Salads Extraordinaire 3

Salads Extraordinaire 4

ENJOY!!

The big PS: all these recipes are in Mom's Cookbook, Come And Dine.

Critique Morning (Sharing The Minutes of My Writer's Group)

In the early hours of Friday morning the sun strained to shine through a low lying cloud. Cars buzzed along the streets with their headlights peering through the mist. The first autumn leaves fluttered to the damp pavement and Sharon's new coffee maker was bubbling. It seems Corey (whose morning hair looked much like a gorse bush) spotted the shiny apparatus and—always attracted to new gadgets—decided to make the coffee.

Present: (in order of appearance)

Sharon (Freelance writer and domestic engineer)
Ruth (Poet and "mother" of many)
Jane Rumph(Author and specialist in Extreme Adventures)
Marilyn Woody(Author, counselor, and our fearless critique group President)

Tardy: Brenda (Aspiring author, speaker, and businesswoman)
(Note: Brenda's arrival created quite a ruckus and the conversation had to be put on hold until everyone calmed down.)


Missing:

Colleen (Freelance Writer)
Deanne (Singer/Songwriter)
Debby (Fantasy novelist)
Debbie Wong (Author, Popular Vocalist, Speaker)
Pat Stockett-Johnston (Prolific writer-wins the most articles published award)
Sandra Schoger Foster (famous author)
Yvonne (Biker Babe) Responsible for political briefings
Sharon Norris Elliott (Author, Speaker, Educator)


The morning started off with Sharon sharing that she submitted her Halloween book to Mary McNeil of Cook Publishing this month. Her article, "When God Rode a Dirt Bike" article is presently at Today's Christian Woman Magazine for consideration.

Next we discussed what it takes to self-publish, with Jane explaining what it means to lay-out a book, and defining the term PDF file for us. We also touched on the topic of how to send illustrations to a self publisher. From there the topic went to Madonna and what we thought about her. Following--a discussion was launched about whether or not we should judge people. The general consensus was YES.

Ruth gave us some insights on the challenges of being an efficient mom/mother-in-law and staying out of trouble.

Marilyn announced that she is READY TO WRITE, after being off duty for a while. She also is still knee deep in Arleta’s manuscripts.

Speaking of the challenge it is (as busy women) to get to our writing, it is good to set small attainable daily goals. For example, just 30 to 45 minutes per day. (Sharon was able to submit her Halloween Book to Cook this month by setting small daily goals. One day the goal was only to get the page numbers on the manuscript. Another day was just getting the envelope and self addressed envelope printed. It’s amazing how something gradually DOES GET DONE, with just one step at a time. Remember the story—the tortoise and the hare? Be a tortoise and you will get there!

And...Jane’s book came out! The one she wrote for Mr. Daughtery (spelling) who shared about God’s role in building a Christian school. The book is published by TATE publishing and it looks great. It would have looked better with Jane’s name on the front! Congratulations Jane!

We also ate a lot of walnuts and peanuts and everyone caught glimpses of Corey, who was packing up his bedroom in boxes and “taking breaks” on the computer. (Last day home 11/5)

We missed you all! Next month we’ll be at Marilyn’s sister’s home in Pasadena. How fun it will be to gather in December for a special Christmas Critique!

Sharon P.